Maccabi Tel Aviv Chairman Vows to Prevent Hostile Takeover

Shimon Mizrahi, the veteran chairman of Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball club, announced on Friday that he has exercised his right of refusal, effectively bringing the Levin family into the club's ownership structure. Mizrahi issued a strong statement criticizing recent moves, stating, "It is important to note that next season marks 50 years since the first European Cup victory in 1977. Maccabi Tel Aviv is no longer just a club; it is one of Europe's leading clubs, and its shareholders should have a DNA that matches the club's spirit and tradition." He emphasized that true commitment to Maccabi means prioritizing the club over personal interests, a quality he feels is lacking in those seeking to take over. "Whoever seeks to be part of Maccabi must preserve its stability and not undermine it, allowing it to focus on basketball and not drag it into conflicts again and again. We will not allow a hostile takeover of the club by those who, in our eyes, do not have Maccabi's best interests at heart," Mizrahi declared. He further described Maccabi as "heart and soul," representing memories passed down through generations and the dreams of young players, adding that this significance is "not for sale."